Preparing for the Phenomena of Postpartum Program
Photo credit: www.jhatter.com
The medical community recognizes the postpartum period as the six weeks after you have given birth. This amount of time is recognized because it takes about two weeks for the uterus to go back to typical size after you have a baby and that many postpartum people bleed for about 6 weeks after birth despite the type of birth you have. This is all based on the immediate medical needs of your body and doesn't take in to account all of the other aspects of your health such as mental, emotional, and spiritual health.
It takes so much longer than six weeks for the majority of new parents to adjust to their new role as a parent. Things like sleep are dramatically affected in the postpartum time for years, not weeks (don't worry we will talk about how to promote sleep in another section.)
This is why I like to think about postpartum as less of a period of time and more of a new way of life. A rebirth of a new you with a new role in life that requires slowing down, resting, healing, eating well, and getting support to be able to thrive.
For this section please:
-Watch the video below.
-Listen to the audio clip about The 4th trimester by following the link below.
-Listen to the audio clip about Maternity Leave Around the World by following the link below.
-Get a journal to dedicate to this program. Take notes as needed and complete the following journal prompts.
How has your understanding of postpartum changed?
How does it make you feel to hear the difference between our culture and other cultures when it comes to the postpartum time?
How does it make you feel that the postpartum period is so associated with the words depression?
What are you thoughts about the 4th trimester?
What are your thoughts about baby’s needs after birth? Have they changed since before you started this program?
What are you thoughts about the lack of paid maternity leave in America? What does this communicate to you about how our society values children and parents?
Are you planning to return to work after birth? If so, do you qualify for FMLA? How does your FMLA eligibility affect your plans? How does this make you feel?
At this point in the course, what does your ideal postpartum look like? Has it changed since before you started this program?
Remember: If taking in this information becomes uncomfortable for you it is important to shift and move these feelings. Feel them, identify what you need to learn from those feelings, then take action to move those feelings. This could look like free writing in your journal about your feelings, moving your body or expressing your feelings verbally. If you can't get unstuck, reach out to me and we will do a clarity coaching call.
With love,
